Research

The collection is a vital resource for continuing research.
Departmental staff and other scholars are engaged in studies of
particular areas of the collection, which are extending our
understanding of ancient Egyptian history, culture and
technology.

Some of this research has resulted in the production of
full catalogues of groups of objects, to make information available
to others. Other research results in articles in journals, and in
lectures inside and outside the Museum.

More recently, the documentation of the collection has been
digitised as part of a programme to create records of the entire
holdings of the Museum in electronic form. This has facilitated
retrieval of information on different classes of material, in order
to assist external scholars, students or the public.

Other research has focused on more wide-ranging aspects of
Egyptology, including excavations and fieldwork, scientific
analysis and investigation, historical subjects or the interaction
of ancient Egypt with neighbouring cultures. Some of this research
has formed the subject of a series of International Colloquia
organised by the department.

The British Museum makes a substantial contribution to
excavation and fieldwork throughout the world, through its own
projects or through collaboration with those of other institutions.
The Museum has always actively supported the excavations of other
bodies in Egypt, notably the Egypt Exploration Society, and the
Department of Egyptian Antiquities (and its predecessors) did put
its own expeditions into the field in the first third of the
twentieth century, notably to Asyut, Matmar and Mostagedda.

Departmental excavations recommenced in 1980 with work at the
site of El-Ashmunein in Middle Egypt, and now include work in Sudan
as well as in Egypt. In addition, members of the department are
also involved in directing other projects in the region.

Research projects

Current research projects being undertaken by staff from the
department.